AADRIKA : The writer of the story

Chapter 22 : Game begins

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Rajkumari Aadrika sat in her opulent chambers, gazing out at the fading sunlight. The palace of Suryagarh was bathed in a warm, golden hue, but her thoughts were anything but warm. In two days, she would be leaving this palace-her home-to marry Abhiraj Rao, the king of Indraprastha. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, not from excitement, but from a cold, creeping dread.

She barely knew the man she was to marry. All she had seen of him was a stoic, cold exterior, a man who seemed entirely uninterested in her or the marriage. Her encounters with Abhiraj had been brief and formal, leaving her with more questions than answers. How was she supposed to spend the rest of her life with a man she didn't even know?

As her thoughts spiraled, her mind landed on Lakshya, her trusted spy. Weeks ago, she had sent him to gather information on Abhiraj. Lakshya was one of the few people she could trust completely-loyal, discreet, and unmatched in his skills. Yet, he had not returned with any news. The lack of information gnawed at her. Why hadn't he reported back yet? What could possibly be taking him so long?

She couldn't wait any longer. With the wedding so close, she needed to know everything she could about the man who would soon be her husband. Rising from her seat, Aadrika moved to a small, hidden compartment in her chamber. Inside was a small whistle, carved from a rare wood found only in the deepest parts of the forest. This whistle was the secret signal she used to summon Lakshya.

She brought the whistle to her lips and blew a soft, almost inaudible note. It wasn't loud enough for anyone outside the room to hear, but she knew Lakshya would hear it, no matter where he was in the palace. He always did.

A few minutes later, as the shadows in her chamber lengthened with the setting sun, a figure appeared at the edge of the room. Lakshya emerged from the darkness like a wraith, his presence silent and unobtrusive. He was dressed in dark, simple clothing that allowed him to blend into the shadows, his face partially obscured by a hood.

Aadrika turned to face him, her expression calm but expectant. "Lakshya, why are you so late? The wedding is just days away, and I've heard nothing from you."

Lakshya knelt before her, his head bowed. "I apologize for the delay, Rajkumari. The task was more challenging than anticipated. The security around Abhiraj is tight, and it took time to gather the information without raising suspicion."

Aadrika nodded, accepting his explanation. Lakshya was rarely late with his reports, and if he said it was challenging, she believed him. "What have you learned?"

Lakshya rose to his feet, keeping his gaze lowered. "Abhiraj Rao is a complex man, Rajkumari. He was born to Maharaja Uday Singh and Maharani Madhavi, the king's first and most favored wife. Maharaja Uday Singh, however, had many wives and concubines, and as a result, Abhiraj has numerous half-sisters. His mother gave birth to three children-Abhiraj, followed by his younger brother Vikram, and finally, his sister Meera."

Aadrika listened intently, her mind absorbing every detail. "And what of his siblings?"

"Vikram and Meera are much younger than Abhiraj. Vikram is still a boy, and Meera has not yet reached marriageable age. The other sisters have already been married off to secure alliances, but Vikram and Meera remain in the palace. Abhiraj is said to be close to them, especially Meera, though he maintains a reserved demeanor even with his family."

Aadrika frowned slightly. "What about his father? Maharaja Uday Singh-how did he die?"

Lakshya hesitated, his voice lowering even further. "The exact cause of the Maharaja's death remains unknown, even to those within the palace. He died when Abhiraj was just a teenager. There were rumors of foul play, but nothing was ever proven. Abhiraj ascended to the throne at a very young age, and he has ruled with an iron hand ever since. His reign has been marked by discipline and order, but also by a certain coldness."

Aadrika's mind whirred with this new information. A young boy, suddenly thrust into the role of king after the mysterious death of his father, surrounded by half-siblings from various mothers, all competing for power and influence. It was no wonder Abhiraj was so guarded, so distant. He had been forced to grow up quickly, to protect himself from the very people who should have been his family.

As Lakshya continued to speak, Aadrika's thoughts drifted. The pieces were beginning to fall into place, and she could now understand why Abhiraj was the way he was. His coldness wasn't born from cruelty, but from necessity. He had learned to trust no one, to keep everyone at arm's length. It was a survival tactic, not a personality flaw.

"And what of his relationship with my family?" Aadrika asked, her voice soft.

Lakshya paused, his gaze finally meeting hers. "There is... tension, Rajkumari. Abhiraj's dealings with Suryagarh have been minimal, but there is an undercurrent of resentment. The exact reason is unclear, but it seems to stem from something deeper."

Aadrika nodded, her thoughts now fully focused on the information Lakshya had provided. This new understanding of Abhiraj didn't make her situation any easier, but it did give her a clearer picture of the man she was about to marry. He was not a monster, but a man shaped by tragedy and responsibility, burdened with the weight of a crown at an age when most boys were still learning the ways of the world.

"Thank you, Lakshya," she said, her voice distant as she mulled over everything she had learned. "You've done well."

Lakshya bowed once more, but he hesitated before leaving. "Rajkumari," he said quietly, his voice laced with a rare hint of emotion, "if I may speak freely... be cautious with Abhiraj. He is a man who trusts very few, and his world is one of shadows and secrets. Navigating it will not be easy."

But as she lost herself in these thoughts, what she didn't notice was the lingering softness in Lakshya's gaze as he watched her from the shadows. "Thank you, Lakshya."

Lakshya bowed his head, the warmth in his eyes fading back into the professional distance he always maintained. "It was my duty, Rajkumari. If there is anything more you need, I am at your service."

Aadrika smiled faintly, her mind still lost in thought. "You may go. I will call on you if I require anything else."

With a final bow, Lakshya slipped back into the shadows, leaving Aadrika alone with her thoughts.

Aadrika remained by the window, staring out at the darkening sky. The more she thought about Abhiraj, the more intrigued she became. He was a puzzle, a man of secrets and hidden depths, and now that she knew more about his past, she felt a strange pull to uncover more. Perhaps this marriage wouldn't be as unbearable as she had initially feared. If nothing else, it promised to be an interesting challenge, and Aadrika had always loved a good game.

She could see the layers now-the reasons for his coldness, his distrust, and his reserved nature. It was like looking at a painting and suddenly seeing the brushstrokes that created the whole picture. Abhiraj wasn't just a stern king; he was a man shaped by a life of responsibility and loss, a man who had learned to wear his crown as both a shield and a weapon.

Aadrika's lips curled into a smile. This wasn't just a marriage; it was a game of wits, a test of her own abilities to navigate the treacherous waters of Indraprastha's court. And if there was one more thing Aadrika excelled at, it was playing games.

She would enter this marriage with her eyes wide open, ready to learn, to adapt, and to outmaneuver anyone who thought they could control her. Abhiraj might be guarded, but she would find a way to peel back those layers, to understand the man beneath the crown.

For now, though, the game was on, and Aadrika was ready to play. And if there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that she never lost.

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